Polar Puffs & Cakes, started as a Western-style cafe in Singapore a century ago, has become a family-run brand thriving through war, relocation, and rising costs. It evolved into a kiosk business with numerous outlets and is now expanding regionally. Testing new products can take up to five rounds, with some items never succeeding.
History and Growth of Polar
Polar was started by my maternal grandfather in 1926 and has grown to 37 outlets, along with 200 sales touchpoints today. When the family first established the business, they likely did not envision such expansion, being content with a successful café that supported the family’s needs. The company’s growth has been slow and steady, emphasizing stability over rapid expansion.
Challenges and Long-Term Vision
While the company’s century-long history enhances its branding, true growth requires regional expansion. To stay relevant and competitive, Polar focuses on product development through research and development (R&D). This process involves testing multiple new products, with eventual success rate varying based on market response and R&D efforts.
Product Development Strategy
Polar’s approach to new products involves multiple rounds of R&D, often with four to five ideas per round. The success rate may be one in 25 products, meaning many ideas may not make it to market. The focus remains on refining what works and ensuring the company’s existing offerings remain successful while cautiously exploring new opportunities for growth.
